II. Death, Dying and Bereavement

a) When 5 year old Timmy’s kidney failure was diagnosed as terminal, his parents could not accept the tragic news. Their hospital visits became shorter, and they evaded his anxious questions. Eventually, Timmy blamed himself. He died with little physical pain but alone, and his parents suffered prolonged guilt. Explain how hospice care could have helped Timmy and his family.

b) Cite examples of age-graded influences on the grieving process.